Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday the U.K. will recognize a Palestinian state in September — unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza and takes steps toward long-term peace.

Starmer called ministers together for a rare summertime Cabinet meeting to discuss the situation in Gaza.

He told them that Britain will recognize a  state of Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly, "unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution."

Starmer's remarks come five days after French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would become the first among the G7 to recognize a Palestinian state at the General Assembly next September. Israel condemned Macron's announcement.

Both Israel and Hamas are facing pressure at home and abroad to reach a deal following almost two years of war, with the humanitarian situation inside Gaza deteriorating and Israelis worried about the conditions in which hostages are being held.